Ostovich Explains Choice to Still Fight VanZant

After Rachael Ostovich was allegedly assaulted by her husband in a domestic violence matter, she pulled out of her scheduled bout with Paige VanZant at the UFC’s debut card on ESPN+.

But now, Ostvoich has had a change of heart, and she has elected to remain on the card, with her fight against VanZant back on.

“Although this is a very difficult time for me and my family, I felt like this fight in January was important,” Ostovich told Khon2 in Hawaii. “I felt that it was extremely important to me to follow through with it. Not only for me but first for my daughter and other people that might be going through similar situations.”

Ostovich suffered a fractured orbital bone and coughed up blood in the alleged Nov. 18 incident, suffering from multiple punches to the head and ribs before escaping via a balcony, she explained in a restraining order petition.

Ostovich’s husband, Arnold Berdon, turned himself in to police and was initially charged with attempted murder. He posted $75,000 bail and his charges were changed to second-degree assault. He is due back in court on Dec. 18, when a judge will decide if there is probable cause to bring the case to Honolulu Circuit Court for an arraignment, where Berdon would be allowed to make a plea. He faces up to five years in prison.

Ostovich, meanwhile, got a second opinion to see if she would be cleared to fight, and according to manager Brian Butler-Au, Ostovich’s injuries will be healed enough in time to compete at the UFC card in Brooklyn, New York.

“I want to take a stand against domestic violence and show others that it’s OK to come out and speak about it and not be quieted,” Ostovich said. “I feel like I have to do this. This is something that can’t be taken away from me.

“Don’t let anyone or anything come between you and your dreams and your career.”